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belboeke's review against another edition
4.0
This book brings up so many emotions I didn't even know I had, oh god
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
3.0
At this point, I've read several native-American novels set in the ice age, or focused on crossing the Alaska/Russia land bridge. Granted, it's hard to keep a story interesting when all you have to work with for landscape and weather is ice and snow. Beyond the Sea of Ice felt repetitive and stagnant at times, and I found myself having to really push through certain sections. The novel's true saving grace was the characters. I really wanted to see Torka, Lonit and Umak survive and succeed. They felt like real characters with depth who grew and learned with time and circumstances. The third-person omniscient viewpoint let us read what all the characters were feeling and thinking- which, initially, got on my nerves, as Lonit was constantly saying she was worthless, and Torka hated everyone and everything, and Umak was questioning his worth and second-guessing himself. As time went on and they traveled, their characters evolved and they learned to work with and appreciate each other.
It was interesting to see a group of people (Galeena's band) who were not self-sufficient, and made all the wrong choices, who were dirty, and sacrificed their young, and over-hunted. Typically in these types of novels, the characters are described as clean, and not wasteful and efficient, and I appreciated the way Sarabande included these people, because of course, not all native Americans were like Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear.
I was not prepared for the ending section, which felt way too rushed and definitely pulled on the heartstrings- but it prepared us nicely (and awfully conveniently) for the next installment, Corridor of Storms.
All in all, Sarabande took some chances and did some different things, and I appreciated that. He has solid characters. Otherwise, there was a lot of the same, and sections that were a chore to push through. I am interested to see what happens next, though.
It was interesting to see a group of people (Galeena's band) who were not self-sufficient, and made all the wrong choices, who were dirty, and sacrificed their young, and over-hunted. Typically in these types of novels, the characters are described as clean, and not wasteful and efficient, and I appreciated the way Sarabande included these people, because of course, not all native Americans were like Ayla from Clan of the Cave Bear.
I was not prepared for the ending section, which felt way too rushed and definitely pulled on the heartstrings- but it prepared us nicely (and awfully conveniently) for the next installment, Corridor of Storms.
All in all, Sarabande took some chances and did some different things, and I appreciated that. He has solid characters. Otherwise, there was a lot of the same, and sections that were a chore to push through. I am interested to see what happens next, though.
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
4.0
Beyond the Sea of Ice is the first book in a prehistoric series by William Sarabande. As the first book, it is of course where you should start reading, as it introduces all of the characters.
Lonit, Torka, and Torka's old father (Umak, who is 45 and considered old by the prehistoric standards) are the only survivors of a tribe who encountered an enraged mammoth. Together, they have to survive and seek out a new place to live if they wish to get back on their feet again. But they have a hard road ahead with dangerous people and animals everywhere. Not to mention Torka is grieving his wife and children and looks at Lonit with revulsion now. But Lonit is used to that, because of her strange eyes she's always been considered ugly, she just hopes to be useful so she can continue to travel with the two, as it is her only hope for survival.
I like Lonit. She's a bit moony over Torka and he can be a jerk sometimes, but her heart's in the right place and she's a hard worker. It's hard to realize that in this book she is only in her early teens as she seems so much older. Especially in the second half. And she goes through quite a bit that no young child should have to go through. Torka is a strong, steady, mostly decent man who has a few flaws. But he's loyal to a fault and that speaks in his favor. And Umak, well he's got a bit of an ego and can be superficial, but deep down he too has a good heart. Karana, a little boy they meet in their travels, is probably the most interesting character though because of his backstory and abilities with nature.
This book kind of puts a spin on the prehistoric genre because it deals with a lot of death of tribes instead of having them advancing and discovering things. Sure there are a few inventions thrown into the mix to make life better, but largely, this book is just about survival. And because of the topic of survival, there is a lot of death and violence in this book. And also rape, sex, and other things that tend to bother people when they're reading. So if you can't handle that stuff, stay clear of this book. Really, my only complaint about the book would be the romance between Lonit and Torka. They start out at very opposing odds and then out of nowhere it changes. I kept going back to see if I accidentally missed a few pages (I didn't) but I just couldn't see the chemistry there.
A good series and I'm eager to get a start on the next book. This is definitely one that fans of the Gears or Jean Auel would probably enjoy.
Beyond the Sea of Ice
Copyright 1987
370 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Lonit, Torka, and Torka's old father (Umak, who is 45 and considered old by the prehistoric standards) are the only survivors of a tribe who encountered an enraged mammoth. Together, they have to survive and seek out a new place to live if they wish to get back on their feet again. But they have a hard road ahead with dangerous people and animals everywhere. Not to mention Torka is grieving his wife and children and looks at Lonit with revulsion now. But Lonit is used to that, because of her strange eyes she's always been considered ugly, she just hopes to be useful so she can continue to travel with the two, as it is her only hope for survival.
I like Lonit. She's a bit moony over Torka and he can be a jerk sometimes, but her heart's in the right place and she's a hard worker. It's hard to realize that in this book she is only in her early teens as she seems so much older. Especially in the second half. And she goes through quite a bit that no young child should have to go through. Torka is a strong, steady, mostly decent man who has a few flaws. But he's loyal to a fault and that speaks in his favor. And Umak, well he's got a bit of an ego and can be superficial, but deep down he too has a good heart. Karana, a little boy they meet in their travels, is probably the most interesting character though because of his backstory and abilities with nature.
This book kind of puts a spin on the prehistoric genre because it deals with a lot of death of tribes instead of having them advancing and discovering things. Sure there are a few inventions thrown into the mix to make life better, but largely, this book is just about survival. And because of the topic of survival, there is a lot of death and violence in this book. And also rape, sex, and other things that tend to bother people when they're reading. So if you can't handle that stuff, stay clear of this book. Really, my only complaint about the book would be the romance between Lonit and Torka. They start out at very opposing odds and then out of nowhere it changes. I kept going back to see if I accidentally missed a few pages (I didn't) but I just couldn't see the chemistry there.
A good series and I'm eager to get a start on the next book. This is definitely one that fans of the Gears or Jean Auel would probably enjoy.
Beyond the Sea of Ice
Copyright 1987
370 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2013
More of my reviews can be found at www.ifithaswords.blogspot.com
bluenicorn's review against another edition
1.0
This is a true test for Joyce Saricks. I distinctly remember reading a series of books about early Native Americans when I was in fifth grade. Distinctly, because they were pretty scandalous for a 10 year old and I think that's where I first learned the mechanics of sex. And 15(ish) years later, I couldn't for the life of me figure out what those books were. Obviously, I want to re-read them and see if they were actually scandalous, or if I was as prudish as I recall being. According to Ms. Saricks' Readers' Advisory Guide to Historical Fiction, this is a contender. We shall see... (fingers crossed that it's dirty!)
***
Whoa. Um, yes, Joyce Saricks was correct. This was the book. And... wow. There were some images in here that would scar me now- I can't believe this made it into an elementary school library. Interesting parts about making clothes out of caribou and whatnot... disturbing parts about sterilizing captive women with sloth claws after suffocating their newborns with snow. Shudder.
***
Whoa. Um, yes, Joyce Saricks was correct. This was the book. And... wow. There were some images in here that would scar me now- I can't believe this made it into an elementary school library. Interesting parts about making clothes out of caribou and whatnot... disturbing parts about sterilizing captive women with sloth claws after suffocating their newborns with snow. Shudder.
sarashokoohi's review against another edition
3.0
This book is old AF and also about cavemen. So don't be surprised when you stumble across sexism, assault, murder, rape, incest, etc... These themes continue through the whole series so...
3hundtony's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ghost_rider's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexism, Murder, and Death
Minor: Cannibalism and Fire/Fire injury
brazilianmelody's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
honniker's review against another edition
3.0
This is not the best book ever written. This is not the best book in this genre of books ever written. But I enjoyed it. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, wondering what would happen next. I enjoyed the journey and the story. I still would probably recommend other books in the pre-history fiction genre thing before this one but it was an enjoyable read, even if there were a few parts where I was like "Really?"